KC Chiefs Activate Nick Bolton, Place Bryan Cook on Injured Reserve
This week, it became increasingly clear that Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton was tracking to make his return to the lineup. The move to take Bolton off the injured reserve list is official, in addition to a few other roster decisions on Saturday morning.
Per the Chiefs, safety Bryan Cook is being placed on IR. To top things off, Kansas City has activated safety Deon Bush and running back Deneric Prince from the practice squad via Standard Elevation.
We have activated LB Nick Bolton from Reserve/Injured.
We have activated Practice Squad players S Deon Bush and RB Deneric Prince via Standard Elevation.
We have placed S Bryan Cook on Reserve/Injured.
Bolton's return to the lineup is a notable boost for the Chiefs, especially considering that Drue Tranquill was among four players ruled out for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. A high-ankle sprain and dislocated wrist have held Bolton out of action for two extended stretches this year, limiting him to four games and 213 snaps played. Now well over a month removed from surgery on the wrist and having fully participated in practice this week, he's cleared to get back into the fold and lead the Chiefs' defense.
Elsewhere, Cook going on IR was a possibility that head coach Andy Reid didn't rule out on Friday afternoon when he spoke to the media. The second-year man suffered a scary injury last Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, but Reid described the ailment as a sprain. It isn't expected that Bush will occupy many of his vacated snaps, though, as he'll likely be a special teams piece instead. In the defensive secondary, look to see more of Mike Edwards at safety.
In the running back room, Prince joins the group again but may not play much of a role on offense. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the Chiefs' likely go-to player at halfback with Isiah Pacheco out (shoulder contusion). Veteran Jerick McKinnon is making his Week 14 return from a groin injury as a trusted pass-protector and receiving option. With Kansas City banged up this week, also missing left tackle Donovan Smith (neck stinger), the team is doing everything possible to weather the storm and secure a win over Buffalo anyway.
